RENNtech-er

I'm looking at a used '05 SL600. In 12 months of use and 4,700 miles, the following work has been done under warranty:

1. Connecting hose, boost pressure (1,011 miles)
2. Seat adjustment control module (1,011 miles)
3. Automatic transmission oil pip(e?) (3,387 miles)
4. Control module, tire pressure (3,387 miles)
5. Campaign, flash up (3,387 miles)
6. MB Service welcome, first service (3,387 miles)
7. Towing, follow-up jobs (4,157 miles)
8. Guide bushing leaking (4,157 miles)
9. Drain plug, radiator (4,157 miles)
10. Valve assembly, front axle ABC (4,157 miles)
11. Rack and pinion steering leaking (4,157 miles); replaced rack

No further repairs have been made in 2,000 miles of use since the last item on the list. I would appreciate comments on whether this list may indicate that this car is a "problem car" and should be passed up, or whether it is pretty standard for something as technically-complex as this car is. The asking price is a bit under what seems to be current market value, but it won't compensate for the headaches of having to deal with more repairs and down time. The factory warranty is good for another 30 months. I know there are no guaranties one way or the other, but would appreciate hearing from the collective wisdom of members anyway. Thanx!

seattlecarfreak

are you sure there aren't any dents from the previous owner hitting the car over and over and over again?

SLcharger

This car is a mess. Leave it.

RJC

Sounds like the car was someone else's problem...

blazinginder

Dont Do IT

StephenK

I would recommend passing on that one, too many available to get one with issues like that.

tiggerfink

That car is better made than my SL.

MBZFAN55

Would you buy another SL, now ?

mleskovar

Yes there have been some parts replaced, not many by today's MB standards. What you don't know is what the problems were...if real or not or how serious...looks like leaks accounted for 6 of the problems. No recurring problems or problems with major systems that I could see. The mileage is so low and the remaining warranty OK so I wouldn't be wary.

So Cal Sam

I would advise against it because as someone pointed out there are others out on the market that probably don't have that laundry list of problems. Remember that one day you will sell it and even if it doesn't have another problem it will still have all those and could give potential buyers pause.

Don't take this cars problems as indicative of all SL's service record. My 2006 SL500 turned 6 months old on March 24th and it has delivered ZERO problems. Good luck.

tiggerfink

I am still debating that one. My trunk is still leaking after 5 attempts and I will have to make a decision when my lemon case is over. I would not mind keeping my SL after all the bugs are work out, but the water leak is rusting everything in the trunk area.

My SL has no new problems in the last year, but has a water leak that can not be fix. All my problems with the car happen in the first 12 months.

I think you will not have any problems with the car in question, since all the bugs are worked out. You will need to test for water leaks by pouring water down the rear window to test for water leaks in the trunk.

RENNtech-er

OK, everyone, thanks for the opinions. The vote was pretty one-sided to stay away from this particular car--and that was even without me mentioning that it is a Mercedes "buy-back" and flagged as a "Status 6" in the Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI) system. "Status 6" means that any future warranty work needs prior approval by MB in NJ before a dealer can do it. "Status 8," BTW, is "NO WARRANTY" (flood damage cars, etc.).

I really appreciate the input. I was leaning away from this car, and the advice expressed in this thread pushed me all the way over to "won't touch it." So, I moved to a really nice low mileage 2004 SL600 without any service issues or flags that I learned was at a dealer's auction this morning. Did my due diligence, everything looked good, and wound up buying it at a really nice price (I think). More info and photos in a couple of days, when the deal is closed.

tiggerfink

So if someone buys the car, who will do the warranty work if not approved by MBUSA?

JackStraw

RENNtech-er:

What was the asking price?

RENNtech-er

If MBNA does not approve future repairs to be made under the factory warranty, then they become the owner's expense. I was told by a number of MBNA people that a "Status 6" flag is used more to track what else is going wrong with a buy-back car (in addition to the issues that got it bought back in the first place) than to give MBNA a reason to deny future warranty claims. However, a Status 6 flag does open up that possibility, something that a "Status 0" (no flag) car does not. Whether MBNA choses to take advantage of it or not can't be predicted, but having the possibility of getting future warranty work bounced was something I decided that I would rather not to deal with.

RENNtech-er

The 2005 SL600 buy back was listed on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $94,900. It has 7,000 miles, all options except Distronic, and is pewter exterior/charcoal interior. The listing (Item #4621136925) closed March 18 after 16 bids. High bid was $90,500 = no sale. The seller sent a "second chance" offer a bit below the Buy It Now price to the bidders (I was one) but got no bites. The seller then called me with a slightly lower price, but I felt it was not low enough. I pondered, sought the advice of MBWorld members, and then the '04 Desert Silver car showed up for a Manheim auction, so I dropped the '05. If interested in the '05, contact "Jake" at World Imports in Jax: 888-261-9346. He was very open about the car and gave me all the information that I asked for. I think they also have an SL65 buy-back.